LOS ANGELES — Thousands of Californians lost power Friday as dry, gusty winds swept across the state, dramatically increasing wildfire risk and prompting utilities to implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).
Power Cut to Prevent Wildfires
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Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) shut off electricity to nearly 7,000 customers in Central and Northern California, with more shutoffs likely through the weekend.
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Southern California Edison (SCE) cut power to over 1,000 customers Friday morning — mainly in Santa Barbara and Kern counties — and warned that up to 30,000 more could lose service before Sunday.
“With the windy conditions, still pretty low humidities, and the finer fuels being pretty dry, we’re looking at elevated to brief critical fire conditions,” said Kristen Lund, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
Though Southern California hasn’t met the criteria for a red flag warning, experts say fast-spreading wildfires remain a threat.
Why Power Is Being Shut Off
The state’s top three utilities — PG&E, SCE, and San Diego Gas & Electric — have used preventative shutoffs since a series of catastrophic wildfires in the 2010s were linked to their equipment.
“It’s an essential tool for public safety,” said Jeff Monford, a spokesperson for Edison.
SCE equipment remains under investigation for its role in January’s Eaton Fire, which killed 18 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena and surrounding areas.
More Shutoffs Expected Across Multiple Counties
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SCE may expand outages across L.A., San Bernardino, Kern, Inyo, Tulare, and Mono counties
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PG&E is considering cutoffs for 12,000 customers in 15 counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Monterey, Santa Clara, and Shasta
Red Flag Warnings and Dangerous Winds
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued red flag warnings for:
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Indian Wells Valley and parts of San Bernardino, Inyo, and Kern counties, with winds up to 60 mph
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Lassen, Alpine, and Mono counties, near the Nevada border
Warnings also cover much of Nevada, Utah, northern Arizona, and Colorado, where the weather service warns:
“A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”
Additional Warnings and Watches
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High Wind Alerts: Across southern Santa Barbara and northern L.A. County, with gusts expected to exceed 60 mph
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Fire Weather Watch: In effect for the Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley through Sunday
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Wind Advisory: Covers all of the Mojave Desert for the weekend
“Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires,” the NWS advised.
With conditions expected to worsen before improving, officials continue to stress extreme caution and preparedness across the state.
